Listen to English - learn English! : newshttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?cat=news
The podcast website for people learning EnglishTwo short (5 minutes or less) podcasts every week in clearly spoken English will help you to improve your listening skills and learn new words and expressions. Many podcasts are linked to grammar and vocabulary notes or to quizes or exercises.en-gbPeter Cartercpetercarter@googlemail.comcpetercarter@googlemail.com(Peter Carter)Peter Carterhttp://www.listen-to-english.com/images/rssimage.jpgListen to English - learn English! : newshttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?cat=news
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 19:36:33 +0000Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:57:00 +0000PodHawknoEducationLanguage CoursesTue, 19 Jul 2011 12:57:00 +0000Try Something Newhttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=563
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=563http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=563?id=563#commentsPeter CarternoThis post introduces the site http://www.ted.com and suggests how it can be used by people learning English.I have something new for you to try.
There is an organisation called TED, which stands for “Technology, Entertainment and Design”. You can find its website here. TED is interested in ideas – Ideas Worth Spreading. It organises a couple of conferences every year, but – much more important – it makes videos of most of the talks and presentations at its conferences, and puts them on the internet for everyone to see, or to download if they wish. The talks are no more than 20 minutes long, and many of them are much shorter. They cover all sorts of topics, from science to society; some are serious, some are funny; all of them are interesting. The page for finding these talks is here.
Now, here is the bit that makes these talks really useful for English learners. Most of the talks have subtitles in English, and many have subtitles in other languages too. There is a box below each video where you can select the subtitles. And on the right hand side of the webpage (on the TED site), most of the talks have a transcript as well as notes about the speaker, and a summary of the talk. So you can follow the talk in English, or in your own language, as you wish. You can even click on the transcript to restart the video from any point, so you can play a section several times if you find it difficult to understand.
i have chosen one short talk to give you an idea of what TED can offer. It is by Matt Cutts, and in three and a half minutes he tells us how to Try Something New for 30 Days. Have fun!<p><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011U/Blank/MattCutts_2011U-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MattCutts-2011U.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1183&lang=eng&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days;year=2011;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=how_we_learn;event=TED2011;tag=Culture;tag=success;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011U/Blank/MattCutts_2011U-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/MattCutts-2011U.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1183&lang=eng&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days;year=2011;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=how_we_learn;event=TED2011;tag=Culture;tag=success;"></embed></object></p>
<p>I have something new for you to try.</p>
<p>There is an organisation called <span class="caps">TED</span>, which stands for “Technology, Entertainment and Design”. You can find its website <a href="http://www.ted.com/">here</a>. <span class="caps">TED</span> is interested in ideas – Ideas Worth Spreading. It organises a couple of conferences every year, but – much more important – it makes videos of most of the talks and presentations at its conferences, and puts them on the internet for everyone to see, or to download if they wish. The talks are no more than 20 minutes long, and many of them are much shorter. They cover all sorts of topics, from science to society; some are serious, some are funny; all of them are interesting. The page for finding these talks is <a href="http://www.ted.com/">here</a>.</p>
<p>Now, here is the bit that makes these talks really useful for English learners. Most of the talks have subtitles in English, and many have subtitles in other languages too. There is a box below each video where you can select the subtitles. And on the right hand side of the webpage (on the <span class="caps">TED</span> site), most of the talks have a transcript as well as notes about the speaker, and a summary of the talk. So you can follow the talk in English, or in your own language, as you wish. You can even click on the transcript to restart the video from any point, so you can play a section several times if you find it difficult to understand.</p>
<p>i have chosen one short talk to give you an idea of what <span class="caps">TED</span> can offer. It is by Matt Cutts, and in three and a half minutes he tells us how to <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html">Try Something New for 30 Days</a>. Have fun!</p>Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:14:00 +0000It's English Time, by Diana Towerhttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=556
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=556http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=556?id=556#commentsPeter CarternoAn introduction to a new English course "It's English Time" by Diana Tower and an opportunity to download a sample from the course free.Watch the first video from Diana Tower’s new 20 video English course “Its English Time”...
English teacher Diana Tower has e-mailed to tell us about her latest venture, an English course called “It’s English Time”. It is based on videos about the life of Jerry, a 40 year-old bachelor whose life – in lots of little ways – is a bit harder than it ought to be. There are 20 units in the course. Each unit uses one of the videos to help students to learn new vocabulary, expressions, phrasal verbs and much more in 8 simple steps. Students will challenge their listening skills by watching the videos (with and without subtitles) and studying additional audio recorded by Diana herself. She has a really nice North American accent, so those of you who have told me that you want to know more about American English should listen to some of her mp3s.
You can find out more about the course by going to Diana’s website. The course costs 197EUR or 275USD, but if you are quick you can get it at a reduced price of 137EUR until 1 April 2011.
Diana has kindly agreed to put one of the videos on Listen to English – you can see it at the top of this posting. Also, you can download an introduction to the course here, and a pdf with exercises for the first unit here. And, even better, there are two audio files from Diana here and here.
I am visiting Northern Ireland later in the week; there will be a new podcast when I get back.<p><strong>Watch the first video from Diana Tower’s new 20 video English course “Its English Time”...</strong></p>
<p>English teacher Diana Tower has e-mailed to tell us about her latest venture, an English course called “It’s English Time”. It is based on videos about the life of Jerry, a 40 year-old bachelor whose life – in lots of little ways – is a bit harder than it ought to be. There are 20 units in the course. Each unit uses one of the videos to help students to learn new vocabulary, expressions, phrasal verbs and much more in 8 simple steps. Students will challenge their listening skills by watching the videos (with and without subtitles) and studying additional audio recorded by Diana herself. She has a really nice North American accent, so those of you who have told me that you want to know more about American English should listen to some of her mp3s.</p>
<p>You can find out more about the course by going to <a href="http://www.helping-you-learn-english.com/english-language-course.html">Diana’s website</a>. The course costs 197EUR or 275USD, but if you are quick you can get it at a reduced price of 137EUR until 1 April 2011.</p>
<p>Diana has kindly agreed to put one of the videos on Listen to English – you can see it at the top of this posting. Also, you can download an introduction to the course <a href="http://www.listen-to-english.com/quiz/english_time/Introduction_README.pdf">here</a>, and a pdf with exercises for the first unit <a href="http://www.listen-to-english.com/quiz/english_time/Week_1_Whos_That_Guy.pdf">here</a>. And, even better, there are two audio files from Diana <a href="http://www.listen-to-english.com/quiz/english_time/Week1Step1.mp3">here</a> and <a href="http://www.listen-to-english.com/quiz/english_time/Week1Step8.mp3">here</a>.</p>
<p>I am visiting Northern Ireland later in the week; there will be a new podcast when I get back.</p>00:04:19Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:26:00 +0000Busuu!http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=550
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=550http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=550?id=550#commentsPeter CarternoInformation about the busuu.com language learning website and the busuu Listen to English group.Busuu.com is an online community of people who love learning languages. The busuu website contains materials for people learning English, French, German, Spanish, Portugese, Italian and Russian. There are interactive langauge courses and lessons, and opportunities to practice your language skills with other members of the busuu community. Click to play the You Tube video above, or on the “Get YouTube Video link below, to learn a bit more about what busuu.com offers. You can join busuu.com free.
And, best of all, Monika has sent me an e-mail to say that there is a special Listen to English group on busuu where you can discuss and write about the topics in Listen to English podcasts and other language material.<p>Busuu.com is an online community of people who love learning languages. The <a href="http://www.busuu.com">busuu website</a> contains materials for people learning English, French, German, Spanish, Portugese, Italian and Russian. There are interactive langauge courses and lessons, and opportunities to practice your language skills with other members of the busuu community. Click to play the You Tube video above, or on the “Get YouTube Video link below, to learn a bit more about what busuu.com offers. You can join busuu.com free.</p>
<p>And, best of all, Monika has sent me an e-mail to say that there is a special <a href="http://www.busuu.com/group/10396">Listen to English group on busuu</a> where you can discuss and write about the topics in Listen to English podcasts and other language material.</p>00:00:00Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:27:00 +0000Are you a busy teacher?http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=543
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=543http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=543?id=543#commentsPeter CarternoAre you an English language teacher? A busy English language teacher? Do you often find that you often need teaching resources in a hurry – worksheets, quizzes, activities, audio material etc? The site busyteacher.org has a large collection ofAre you an English language teacher? A busy English language teacher? Do you often find that you often need teaching resources in a hurry – worksheets, quizzes, activities, audio material etc? The site busyteacher.org has a large collection of useful material which can be downloaded for free. It is an established community of 50.000+ ESL/EFL teachers who contribute teaching materials to the site, with new material available every day. Register with the site and find what it can do to help you and your students.<p>Are you an English language teacher? A <i>busy</i> English language teacher? Do you often find that you often need teaching resources in a hurry – worksheets, quizzes, activities, audio material etc? The site <a href="http://busyteacher.org">busyteacher.org</a> has a large collection of useful material which can be downloaded for free. It is an established community of 50.000+ ESL/<span class="caps">EFL</span> teachers who contribute teaching materials to the site, with new material available every day. Register with the site and find what it can do to help you and your students.</p>Sun, 12 Sep 2010 10:09:00 +0000Download to your Smart Phone!http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=536
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=536http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=536?id=536#commentsPeter CarternoThere is a new feature on Listen to English which allows you to download podcasts direct to your iPhone or other Smart Phone.
Below each podcast there is a link “Download to your SmartPhone”. Click the link to display a QR barcode. If yourThere is a new feature on Listen to English which allows you to download podcasts direct to your iPhone or other Smart Phone.
Below each podcast there is a link “Download to your SmartPhone”. Click the link to display a QR barcode. If your phone has a camera, an internet connection and a barcode reader, the phone will be able to read the barcode and download the podcast mp3.
This feature is still experimental. Please let me know if you find it useful, and if you find any problems with it.<p>There is a new feature on Listen to English which allows you to download podcasts direct to your iPhone or other Smart Phone.</p>
<p>Below each podcast there is a link “Download to your SmartPhone”. Click the link to display a QR barcode. If your phone has a camera, an internet connection and a barcode reader, the phone will be able to read the barcode and download the podcast mp3.</p>
<p>This feature is still experimental. Please let me know if you find it useful, and if you find any problems with it.</p>Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:55:00 +0000Improved web sitehttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=535
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=535http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=535?id=535#commentsPeter CarternoYou will see that I have made some changes to the Listen to English website.
The flash player is now at the top of each posting instead of the bottom. This should make it easier for you to read the text of the podcast while listening to the mp3. TheYou will see that I have made some changes to the Listen to English website.
The flash player is now at the top of each posting instead of the bottom. This should make it easier for you to read the text of the podcast while listening to the mp3. The colours of the player are random and change every hour. This will help to keep you awake!
You can download the text of each podcast as a pdf file. Click on the pdf icon at the bottom of the posting. The pdf application is still experimental. If you find problems with it (particularly strange letters appearing in the pdf) please let me know.
Finally, there are some nice new buttons below each posting for sharing the podcast with your friends and sending it to social and bookmarking services.
Happy listening!
Peter<p>You will see that I have made some changes to the Listen to English website.</p>
<p>The flash player is now at the top of each posting instead of the bottom. This should make it easier for you to read the text of the podcast while listening to the mp3. The colours of the player are random and change every hour. This will help to keep you awake!</p>
<p>You can download the text of each podcast as a pdf file. Click on the pdf icon at the bottom of the posting. The pdf application is still experimental. If you find problems with it (particularly strange letters appearing in the pdf) please let me know.</p>
<p>Finally, there are some nice new buttons below each posting for sharing the podcast with your friends and sending it to social and bookmarking services.</p>
<p>Happy listening!</p>
<p>Peter</p>Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:19:00 +0000"English Language" website.http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=527
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=527http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=527?id=527#commentsPeter CarternoFrom time to time, I like to tell you about other English Language sites which I have found. The English language website contains a lot of material about English grammar and pronunciation, as well as material for English teachers and even someFrom time to time, I like to tell you about other English Language sites which I have found. The English language website contains a lot of material about English grammar and pronunciation, as well as material for English teachers and even some “typically English” recipes.
Let me tell you a secret – the most popular dish in England is chicken tikka masala! There is a recipe for chicken tikka masala here, though most English people just buy a jar of sauce from the supermarket and pour it over some cooked chicken!
But, sorry, we were talking about learning English, not about how to make an English version of a classic Indian dish. I think that you will find that the English language website is worth bookmarking, as somewhere to go when you need help on grammar, or to find links to other resources.<p>From time to time, I like to tell you about other English Language sites which I have found. The <a href="http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/">English language website</a> contains a lot of material about English grammar and pronunciation, as well as material for English teachers and even some “typically English” recipes.</p>
<p>Let me tell you a secret – the most popular dish in England is chicken tikka masala! There is a recipe for chicken tikka masala <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Tikka-Masala/Detail.aspx">here</a>, though most English people just buy a jar of sauce from the supermarket and pour it over some cooked chicken!</p>
<p>But, sorry, we were talking about learning English, not about how to make an English version of a classic Indian dish. I think that you will find that the <a href="http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/">English language website</a> is worth bookmarking, as somewhere to go when you need help on grammar, or to find links to other resources.</p>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:02:00 +0000Top ten words and phraseshttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=519
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=519http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=519?id=519#commentsPeter CarternoThe Bitesized languages Blog has an interesting post about the top ten words and phrases which you need when you begin to learn another language.
Why not compile your own “top ten” words and phrases, and post them as a comment eitherThe Bitesized languages Blog has an interesting post about the top ten words and phrases which you need when you begin to learn another language.
Why not compile your own “top ten” words and phrases, and post them as a comment either here, or on the Bitesize Languages Blog.<p>The <a href="http://www.bitesizedlanguages.com/blog/2010/03/12/top-10-words-and-phrases-to-master-when-learning-any-language/">Bitesized languages Blog</a> has an interesting post about the top ten words and phrases which you need when you begin to learn another language. </p>
<p>Why not compile your own “top ten” words and phrases, and post them as a comment either here, or on the Bitesize Languages Blog.</p>Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:49:00 +0000The Learning English Newsletterhttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=506
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=506http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=506?id=506#commentsPeter CarternoDiana, who runs the Helping You Learn English website, now produces a monthly e-mail newsletter. She says, “Each newsletter contains interesting and REAL information regarding using English in common situations. The main focus is NOT grammar,Diana, who runs the Helping You Learn English website, now produces a monthly e-mail newsletter. She says, “Each newsletter contains interesting and REAL information regarding using English in common situations. The main focus is NOT grammar, but how grammar works in the real world. Everything from visiting the doctor to ordering a bowl of soup at a restuarant.”
There are many other interesting learning English resources on her website, so why not take a minute to explore it. You can sign up for the monthly newsletter here.<div class="lb_image_left" style="width:200px;"><p class="lb_no_margins"><a href="http://www.helping-you-learn-english.com/index.html"><img src="http://www.listen-to-english.com/images/learn-english-newsletter-small.jpg" alt="learn-english-newsletter-small" width="200px" height="209px" /></a></p></div>
<p>Diana, who runs the <a href="http://www.helping-you-learn-english.com/index.html">Helping You Learn English website</a>, now produces a monthly e-mail newsletter. She says, “Each newsletter contains interesting and <span class="caps">REAL</span> information regarding using English in common situations. The main focus is <span class="caps">NOT</span> grammar, but how grammar works in the real world. Everything from visiting the doctor to ordering a bowl of soup at a restuarant.”</p>
<p>There are many other interesting learning English resources on her website, so why not take a minute to explore it. You can sign up for the monthly newsletter <a href="http://www.helping-you-learn-english.com/english-newsletter.html">here</a>.</p>Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:04:00 +0000Covered in snowhttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=503
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=503http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=503?id=503#commentsPeter CarternoBritain is covered in snow.
This is a photograph of Britain, taken from a satellite a few days ago. It is an unusual photograph because it shows that every part of the country from the south coast of England to the north coast of Scotland is covered inBritain is covered in snow.
This is a photograph of Britain, taken from a satellite a few days ago. It is an unusual photograph because it shows that every part of the country from the south coast of England to the north coast of Scotland is covered in snow. In recent years, many places in England have had no snow at all. But this year, the snow stretches from Lands End (in the far south west of England) to John O’Groats (in the far north east of Scotland).
People who want to raise money for a charity sometimes walk, or cycle, from Lands End to John O’Groats. They get their friends to sponsor them, that is to pay them a certain amount for each kilometer they walk. Long-time followers of Listen to English will remember Stephen Gough and Melanie Roberts, who walked naked from Lands End to John O’Groats. This winter they could ski from Lands End to John O’Groats, but it is so cold that I strongly advise them to wear clothes this time.<div class="lb_image_center lb_with_border" style="width:450px;"><p class="lb_no_margins"><img src="http://www.listen-to-english.com/images/uk_snow.jpg" alt="uk_snow" title="Britain covered in snow." width="450px" height="582px" /></p><p class="lb_no_margins">Britain is covered in snow.</p></div>
<p>This is a photograph of Britain, taken from a satellite a few days ago. It is an unusual photograph because it shows that every part of the country from the south coast of England to the north coast of Scotland is covered in snow. In recent years, many places in England have had no snow at all. But this year, the snow stretches from Lands End (in the far south west of England) to John O’Groats (in the far north east of Scotland). </p>
<p>People who want to raise money for a charity sometimes walk, or cycle, from Lands End to John O’Groats. They get their friends to sponsor them, that is to pay them a certain amount for each kilometer they walk. Long-time followers of Listen to English will remember <a href="http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=57">Stephen Gough and Melanie Roberts</a>, who walked naked from Lands End to John O’Groats. This winter they could ski from Lands End to John O’Groats, but it is so cold that I strongly advise them to wear clothes this time.</p>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:11:00 +0000January Saleshttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=499
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=499http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=499?id=499#commentsPeter CarternoJanuary is traditionally the month when big shops hold their ‘sales’ and reduce their prices to attract customers. Livemocha, one of the world’s leading language learning websites has a sale too. Until 31 January, you can save 40% onJanuary is traditionally the month when big shops hold their ‘sales’ and reduce their prices to attract customers. Livemocha, one of the world’s leading language learning websites has a sale too. Until 31 January, you can save 40% on the cost of their beginner to intermediate Active English courses. Just enter the code MOCHA2010 at checkout to obtain the discount. Details of the Active English course here.<p>January is traditionally the month when big shops hold their ‘sales’ and reduce their prices to attract customers. <a href="http://www.Livemocha.com">Livemocha</a>, one of the world’s leading language learning websites has a sale too. Until 31 January, you can save 40% on the cost of their beginner to intermediate Active English courses. Just enter the code MOCHA2010 at checkout to obtain the discount. Details of the Active English course <a href="http://www.livemocha.com/gce/splash_page/?utm_source=promo">here</a>.</p>Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:11:00 +0000Stealing buseshttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=498
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=498http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=498?id=498#commentsPeter CarternoHere is an article from the Guardian newspaper which you may enjoy. It is the story of a man who steals buses. Or, rather, he used to steal buses – he stole buses many times but he does not do so now.
Here are some vocabulary notes to helpHere is an article from the Guardian newspaper which you may enjoy. It is the story of a man who steals buses. Or, rather, he used to steal buses – he stole buses many times but he does not do so now.
Here are some vocabulary notes to help you:
a double decker is a double-decker bus, that is a bus with an upstairs and a downstairs. Many buses in English towns and cities are double deckers.
to be behind the wheel means to be driving a vehicle like a car or a bus.
hot-wiring is a method of starting a car engine without using the ignition key.
driving the buses out of the depot was a breeze means that it was very easy.
the man ditched the buses means that he left them at the side of the road.
he craved a bigger thrill means that he wanted to do something even more exciting.
he was arrested and got a suspended sentence i.e. the court said that he did not have to go to prison now, but that he would automatically go to prison if he committed any more crimes.
he pulled up means that he stopped the bus.
he was taken into custody means that he was arrested and taken to a police station.
going to prison was a wake-up call means that in prison he realised that he could not go on stealing buses for the rest of his life.
now he is living in the slow lane. The slow lane on a motorway is the part of the road on the left (we drive on the left in England, remember!) where slow lorries and other vehicles go. Living in the slow lane is less exciting but safer than living in the fast lane.
Have fun! There will be a new podcast in a few days<p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jan/02/i-stole-double-decker-buses">Here</a> is an article from the Guardian newspaper which you may enjoy. It is the story of a man who steals buses. Or, rather, he <i>used to</i> steal buses – he stole buses many times but he does not do so now.</p>
<p>Here are some vocabulary notes to help you:</p>
<ul>
<li>a <strong>double decker</strong> is a <a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01215/double-decker_1215733c.jpg">double-decker bus</a>, that is a bus with an upstairs and a downstairs. Many buses in English towns and cities are double deckers.</li>
<li>to be <strong>behind the wheel</strong> means to be driving a vehicle like a car or a bus.</li>
<li><strong>hot-wiring</strong> is a method of starting a car engine without using the ignition key.</li>
<li>driving the buses out of the depot <strong>was a breeze</strong> means that it was very easy.</li>
<li>the man <strong>ditched</strong> the buses means that he left them at the side of the road.</li>
<li>he <strong>craved a bigger thrill</strong> means that he wanted to do something even more exciting.</li>
<li>he was arrested and got a <strong>suspended sentence</strong> i.e. the court said that he did not have to go to prison now, but that he would automatically go to prison if he committed any more crimes.</li>
<li>he <strong>pulled up</strong> means that he stopped the bus.</li>
<li>he was <strong>taken into custody</strong> means that he was arrested and taken to a police station.</li>
<li>going to prison was a <strong>wake-up call</strong> means that in prison he realised that he could not go on stealing buses for the rest of his life.</li>
<li>now he is <strong>living in the slow lane</strong>. The slow lane on a motorway is the part of the road on the left (we drive on the left in England, remember!) where slow lorries and other vehicles go. Living in the slow lane is less exciting but safer than living in the fast lane.</li>
</ul>
<p>Have fun! There will be a new podcast in a few days</p>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:03:00 +0000Do you twitter?http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=492
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=492http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=492?id=492#commentsPeter CarternoIvy Bean – the oldest Twitterer in the world!
What do you call someone who uses Twitter? A twitterer? A Tweeter? A twit – no, “twit” means idiot in English!
If you are a twitterer, perhaps you would like to follow a couple ofIvy Bean – the oldest Twitterer in the world!
What do you call someone who uses Twitter? A twitterer? A Tweeter? A twit – no, “twit” means idiot in English!
If you are a twitterer, perhaps you would like to follow a couple of English twitterers. It might give you a new perspective on life in England, and you may even learn some new English words. Here are two that you might follow. Sarah Brown is the wife of our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. There are little glimpses of life at No 10 Downing Street (“now off to blow up final balloons and hide things for treasure hunt for afternoon birthday party” – presumably, the birthday of one of her children) and lots of tweets about Sarah’s favourite charities. Sarah Brown is now one of the most followed twitterers in Britain.
Or you could follow Britain’s (and probably the world’s) oldest twitterer, Mrs Ivy Bean, who lives in an old people’s home in Bradford in the north of England, and who celebrated her 104th birthday last month. She twitters regularly about what she has had for lunch, about her friend Mabel, and – especially – about her favourite television show, Deal or No Deal. (“Must go now its time for tea and deal or no deal i will be back again tomorrow goodnight every one”). Bless!<div class="lb_image_center lb_with_border" style="width:320px;"><p class="lb_no_margins"><img src="http://www.listen-to-english.com/images/bean.jpg" alt="bean" width="320px" height="229px" /></p><p class="lb_no_margins">Ivy Bean – the oldest Twitterer in the world!</p></div>
<p>What do you call someone who uses Twitter? A twitterer? A Tweeter? A twit – no, “twit” means idiot in English! </p>
<p>If you are a twitterer, perhaps you would like to follow a couple of English twitterers. It might give you a new perspective on life in England, and you may even learn some new English words. Here are two that you might follow. <a href="http://twitter.com/sarahbrown10">Sarah Brown</a> is the wife of our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. There are little glimpses of life at No 10 Downing Street (“now off to blow up final balloons and hide things for treasure hunt for afternoon birthday party” – presumably, the birthday of one of her children) and lots of tweets about Sarah’s favourite charities. Sarah Brown is now one of the most followed twitterers in Britain. </p>
<p>Or you could follow Britain’s (and probably the world’s) oldest twitterer, <a href="http://twitter.com/Ivybean104">Mrs Ivy Bean</a>, who lives in an old people’s home in Bradford in the north of England, and who celebrated her 104th birthday last month. She twitters regularly about what she has had for lunch, about her friend Mabel, and – especially – about her favourite television show, <a href="http://www.dealornodeal.co.uk/">Deal or No Deal</a>. (“Must go now its time for tea and deal or no deal i will be back again tomorrow goodnight every one”). Bless!</p>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:29:00 +0000Habla Mejor Ingleshttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=484
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=484http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=484?id=484#commentsPeter CarternoZac Tobias in Madrid has sent me an e-mail to tell me about his web site hablamejoringles.com. It contains articles, and video and audio files, about the English language, aimed at people whose first language is Spanish. If you click the link below youZac Tobias in Madrid has sent me an e-mail to tell me about his web site hablamejoringles.com. It contains articles, and video and audio files, about the English language, aimed at people whose first language is Spanish. If you click the link below you can download a pdf copy of one of his posts, which is all about when we use the simple perfect tense (eg “I went to the shops”) and when we use the “have” tense (“I have gone to the shops”). I know that many of you would like me to make a podcast on this subject. One day, when I am feeling really brave, I will try to do this. In the meantime – if you speak Spanish – I am sure that you will find Zac’s explanation helpful.<p>Zac Tobias in Madrid has sent me an e-mail to tell me about his web site <a href="http://www.hablamejoringles.com">hablamejoringles.com</a>. It contains articles, and video and audio files, about the English language, aimed at people whose first language is Spanish. If you click the link below you can download a pdf copy of <a href="http://www.hablamejoringles.com/perfeccionando-el-presente-perfecto-i/">one of his posts</a>, which is all about when we use the simple perfect tense (eg “I went to the shops”) and when we use the “have” tense (“I have gone to the shops”). I know that many of you would like me to make a podcast on this subject. One day, when I am feeling really brave, I will try to do this. In the meantime – if you speak Spanish – I am sure that you will find Zac’s explanation helpful.</p>00:00:00Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:38:00 +0000Storynory : Goldilocks and the Three Bearshttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=483
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=483http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=483?id=483#commentsPeter CarternoListening to stories for children can be a great way to learn a language. I have found a wonderful website called StoryNory, which is full of recordings of children’s stories which you can listen to on the site, or download with an RSS feed. ManyListening to stories for children can be a great way to learn a language. I have found a wonderful website called StoryNory, which is full of recordings of children’s stories which you can listen to on the site, or download with an RSS feed. Many of the stories have a transcript or summary on the website, which will help you if there are bits that you cannot understand. The nice people at Storynory have said that I can link to one of their stories, so that you can listen to it here. And because I have just made a podcast about the word “bear”, I have chosen this story – Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
It is a traditional children’s story which is found in different forms in many parts of Europe. It is about a little girl who visits a house where three bears live. The three bears are out, so the little girl goes into the house, sits on the chairs, eats the bears’ food and falls asleep in the bedroom. In English, she is called Goldilocks, which means simply “the girl with golden hair” – “locks” means hair, especially long, curly hair.
You may ask yourself who is the villain and who is the hero in the story. Is Goldilocks the goodie? The children’s author Roald Dahl had no doubt that the three bears should have telephoned the police and had Goldilocks arrested.
Enjoy!<p>Listening to stories for children can be a great way to learn a language. I have found a wonderful website called <a href="http://storynory.com/">StoryNory</a>, which is full of recordings of children’s stories which you can listen to on the site, or download with an <span class="caps">RSS</span> feed. Many of the stories have a transcript or summary on the website, which will help you if there are bits that you cannot understand. The nice people at Storynory have said that I can link to one of their stories, so that you can listen to it here. And because I have just made a podcast about the word “bear”, I have chosen this story – Goldilocks and the Three Bears.</p>
<p>It is a traditional children’s story which is found in different forms in many parts of Europe. It is about a little girl who visits a house where three bears live. The three bears are out, so the little girl goes into the house, sits on the chairs, eats the bears’ food and falls asleep in the bedroom. In English, she is called Goldilocks, which means simply “the girl with golden hair” – “locks” means hair, especially long, curly hair. </p>
<p>You may ask yourself who is the villain and who is the hero in the story. Is Goldilocks the goodie? The <a href="http://www.funny-poems.biz/roald_dahl/Goldilocks-and-the-Three-Bears-by-Roald-Dahl-revolting-rhymes.html">children’s author Roald Dahl</a> had no doubt that the three bears should have telephoned the police and had Goldilocks arrested.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>00:09:48Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:18:00 +0000Michael Jacksonhttp://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=478
http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=478http://www.listen-to-english.com/index.php?id=478?id=478#commentsPeter CarternoJim Stroud, who works for the website English Cafe, has sent me an e-mail about an English language teaching video that he has recently made. The video is about the death of the pop artist Michael Jackson. You can watch it on the screen below. I likeJim Stroud, who works for the website English Cafe, has sent me an e-mail about an English language teaching video that he has recently made. The video is about the death of the pop artist Michael Jackson. You can watch it on the screen below. I like the way that Jim puts text on the screen as he is speaking to explain words and phrases that you might not understand. Jim has produced a number of similar videos, and you can find them on YouTube. Indeed, the whole English Cafe site is worth exploring.<p>Jim Stroud, who works for the website <a href="http://www.englishcafe.com">English Cafe</a>, has sent me an e-mail about an English language teaching video that he has recently made. The video is about the death of the pop artist Michael Jackson. You can watch it on the screen below. I like the way that Jim puts text on the screen as he is speaking to explain words and phrases that you might not understand. Jim has produced a number of similar videos, and you can find them on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/englishcafedotcom ">YouTube</a>. Indeed, the whole <a href="http://www.englishcafe.com">English Cafe site</a> is worth exploring.</p>00:00:00